Pope resigns

Europe correspondent Philip Williams discusses the announcement that the Pope will resign on February 28th.

Transcript

EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: The Pope, Pope Benedict, has announced his resignation in Rome, the first Pope to resign in office in 600 years.

Joining us now from London is Europe correspondent Philip Williams.

Philip, what can you tell us about his reason for resigning, because of course as we've just heard, the first time in 600 years, an incredibly rare occasion?

PHILIP WILLIAMS, REPORTER: Yes, shock news. No-one really expected this. We knew his health wasn't great, but tradition has seen that Popes die in office, no matter how bad their health.

Of course at 78, when he first came to office, back in 2005, he was the oldest Pope for a very long time to assume office. Now at 85, he says his health simply isn't good enough to fulfil his functions.

Let me give you a quote from his statement. He says that, "After repeatedly examining my conscience before God, I've come to the certainty that my strengths, due to advanced age, are no longer suited to the adequate exercise of my ministry." And another, "Both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the past few months has deteriorated to the extent that I've had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me."

So, basically he's saying he's not up to the job anymore and he's giving way at the end of this month, but as I say, a very big departure from tradition, and of course his tenure here has been marked by some controversy of course over the child sex allegations in various parts of the world, but his departure of course will be met with equal shock, no doubt.

EMMA ALBERICI: Now he'll officially stand down on February 28th. What happens next?

PHILIP WILLIAMS: Well then you have the conclave. That's when the - all the bishops gather and basically decide who the next Pope will be. And as we know from when he was elected, it can be a lengthy, drawn-out process.

Until you see the wisp of white smoke come out from the Vatican, you don't know that it's actually been achieved, so it could be quite some days. So that will not be instantaneous, so we simply don't know at this point who the frontrunners are because as we say, there was no speculation at this point about a new pope.

We didn't expect him to resign and he's departed from a tradition of resigning because of ill health. So, it's an open field and the next pope could come from anywhere.

EMMA ALBERICI: But among the cardinals - I think you meant to say cardinals; I think you said bishops there, but it will be - the conclave is the cardinals, yes.

EMMA ALBERICI: And among them I think - yes, among them, of course George Pell will be in attendance, no doubt.

PHILIP WILLIAMS: Yes, of course. And, well, who knows? He could yet be a candidate himself. But we simply don't know who those frontrunners might be. And of course, for him, it's a personal - well, tragedy really that he's had to resign at this time.

He would no doubt have wanted to complete a stay in office until he died, but he's just decided that the work is more important than him trying to struggle on, not being able to fulfil his duties properly and he's apologised. He said that he's asked for forgiveness for his inadequacies from his fellow brothers in the Church and that he's decided that he must give way at this time.

EMMA ALBERICI: Philip Williams in London, thanks so much for updating us.

PHILIP WILLIAMS: Thank you.

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